According to a report by Manchester Evening News on Sunday November 8, 2026, Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick could give Matheus Cunha a new attacking role following the Brazilian forward's outstanding performance in the club's dramatic 3-2 Champions League victory over Roma.

Cunha was one of the standout performers as United recovered from a two-goal deficit to secure an important victory at Old Trafford on Tuesday night. His contribution was particularly significant, with the forward winning the penalty that allowed Bruno Fernandes to begin the comeback before scoring the equaliser and playing a major role in the team's eventual victory.

The performance came at an important moment for Carrick, who had been under enormous pressure following Manchester United's disappointing run of nine consecutive matches without a win.

United's victory over Roma provided the manager with some breathing space, but he knows that another positive result against Aston Villa on Sunday would be important for his chances of remaining in charge beyond the November international break.

Cunha is expected to play a significant role in that encounter, particularly after demonstrating his quality against the Italian side.

The Brazilian will also reach his 50th appearance for Manchester United when he features against Villa, having joined the club from Wolves in a £62.5 million transfer.

However, Carrick wants the 27-year-old to demonstrate that his performance against Roma was not an isolated achievement.

Speaking about the forward, the United manager challenged him to reproduce the same level of performance in upcoming matches.

"He has to repeat that performance. He was fantastic and that's close to his best, and that's the level we want to see, not just him, from the team," Carrick said.

Cunha's position has been a subject of discussion since his arrival at Old Trafford, particularly because he was initially recruited to operate in one of the two attacking midfield positions under former manager Ruben Amorim.

Amorim preferred a 3-4-2-1 formation, which provided Cunha with a relatively defined role behind the main striker.

However, Carrick's decision to return Manchester United to a back-four formation has created some uncertainty about where the Brazilian fits into the team's attacking structure.

He has been used on the left wing and through the middle, including as a false nine, but has not always enjoyed the consistency needed to establish himself in one particular position.

His performance against Roma, however, may have provided Carrick with an idea of how to get the best out of him.

The United manager believes Cunha's ability to operate in different attacking positions is one of his biggest strengths and has suggested that giving him greater freedom could help him become more influential.

"I think the beauty of Matheus is he can play different positions across the front line," Carrick explained.

"He's played off the left for us and did ever so well last season. He's played through the middle at times, he played off the left, half through the middle on Tuesday.

"I think just that bit of freedom and fluidity suits him a lot, but he can do both. For sure, he can do both."

Carrick's comments suggest that he could allow Cunha to move between the left flank and central attacking areas rather than restricting him to a fixed position.